Evaluating road conditions using a mobile vehicle

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product evaluates a real-time condition of a construct of a roadway. A processor receives a set of roadway vibration patterns from a mobile smart sensor that is mounted on a terrestrial vehicle as it travels along a roadway. This set of roadway vibration patterns is created by a physical contact between a roadway surface of the roadway and a tire on the terrestrial vehicle. The processor also receives a set of transient data from a probe on the terrestrial vehicle. This transient data describes a real-time transient environmental condition at the roadway. The set of roadway vibration patterns and the set of transient data are input into an analysis algorithm to determine a real-time physical condition of a construct of the roadway, such that the analysis algorithm removes any effect the set of transient data has on the set of roadway vibration patterns.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to the field of electronics, andspecifically to electronic devices used to measure vibration. Still moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to electronic sensors usedto evaluate the physical condition of a roadway.

Vibration detection devices are used to detect and transpose mechanicalvibration energy into analogous electrical signals that represent thedetected mechanical vibration energy. A vibration detection device usesa motion sensitive component, such as an accelerometer, a piezoelectricdevice (e.g., a tuned crystal), etc. to make thesemechanical-to-electrical transformations.

SUMMARY

A computer-implemented method, system, and/or computer program productevaluates a real-time condition of a construct of a roadway. A processorreceives a set of roadway vibration patterns from a mobile smart sensorthat is mounted on a terrestrial vehicle as it travels along a roadway.This set of roadway vibration patterns is created by a physical contactbetween a roadway surface of the roadway and a tire on the terrestrialvehicle. The processor also receives a set of transient data from aprobe on the terrestrial vehicle. This transient data describes areal-time transient environmental condition at the roadway. The set ofroadway vibration patterns and the set of transient data are input intoan analysis algorithm to determine a real-time physical condition of aconstruct of the roadway, such that the analysis algorithm removes anyeffect the set of transient data has on the set of roadway vibrationpatterns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary computer that may be utilized by the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary terrestrial vehicle on which mobilesmart sensors are mounted;

FIG. 3 depicts additional detail of the mobile smart sensor that ismounted on the terrestrial vehicle shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates additional detail of an environmental probe that ismounted on the terrestrial vehicle shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a high level flow chart of one or more steps performed by aprocessor to evaluate a real-time condition of a roadway;

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary set of frequency (F) plus amplitude (A)roadway vibration patterns and a set of transient data being input intoa processing logic to determine a real-time condition of a construct ofa roadway; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a series of sets of roadway vibration patterns usedto determine a trend in a condition of the construct of the roadway.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present inventionmay be embodied as a system, method, or computer program product.Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirelyhardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (includingfirmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodimentcombining software and hardware aspects that may all generally bereferred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore,the present invention may take the form of a computer program productembodied in any tangible medium of expression having computer-usableprogram code embodied in the medium.

Any combination of one or more computer usable or computer readablemedium(s) may be utilized. The computer-usable or computer-readablemedium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic,optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus,device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustivelist) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: anelectrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computerdiskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory(ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flashmemory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory(CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a transmission media such as thosesupporting the Internet or an intranet, or a magnetic storage device.Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium could even bepaper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, asthe program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, opticalscanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, orotherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then storedin a computer memory. In the context of this document, a computer-usableor computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store,communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or inconnection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.The computer-usable medium may include a propagated data signal with thecomputer-usable program code embodied therewith, either in baseband oras part of a carrier wave. The computer usable program code may betransmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited towireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the presentinvention may be written in any combination of one or more programminglanguages, including an object oriented programming language such asJava (JAVA is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in theUnited States and other countries), Smalltalk, C++ or the like andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The program codemay execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user'scomputer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user'scomputer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remotecomputer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may beconnected to the user's computer through any type of network, includinga local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or theconnection may be made to an external computer (for example, through theInternet using an Internet Service Provider).

With reference now to the figures, and in particular to FIG. 1, there isdepicted a block diagram of an exemplary computer 102, which the presentinvention may utilize. Note that some or all of the exemplaryarchitecture shown for computer 102 may be utilized by softwaredeploying server 150.

Computer 102 includes a processor unit 104, which may utilize one ormore processors each having one or more processor cores, that is coupledto a system bus 106. A video adapter 108, which drives/supports adisplay 110, is also coupled to system bus 106. System bus 106 iscoupled via a bus bridge 112 to an Input/Output (I/O) bus 114. An I/Ointerface 116 is coupled to I/O bus 114. I/O interface 116 affordscommunication with various I/O devices, including a keyboard 118, atimer 120, a Radio Frequency (RF) receiver 122, a Hard Disk Drive (HDD)124, and mobile smart sensors 126, which communicate wirelessly with theRF receiver 122. Examples of mobile smart sensors 126 include, but arenot limited to, mobile smart sensor(s) 226 shown below in FIG. 2, aswell as mobile smart sensor 326 depicted in FIG. 3. Note that the formatof the ports connected to I/O interface 116 may be any known to thoseskilled in the art of computer architecture, including but not limitedto Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports.

Computer 102 is able to communicate with a software deploying server 150via a network 128 using a network interface 130, which is coupled tosystem bus 106. Network 128 may be an external network such as theInternet, or an internal network such as an Ethernet or a VirtualPrivate Network (VPN).

A hard drive interface 132 is also coupled to system bus 106. Hard driveinterface 132 interfaces with a hard drive 134. In a preferredembodiment, hard drive 134 populates a system memory 136, which is alsocoupled to system bus 106. System memory is defined as a lowest level ofvolatile memory in computer 102. This volatile memory includesadditional higher levels of volatile memory (not shown), including, butnot limited to, cache memory, registers and buffers. Data that populatessystem memory 136 includes computer 102's operating system (OS) 138 andapplication programs 144.

OS 138 includes a shell 140, for providing transparent user access toresources such as application programs 144. Generally, shell 140 is aprogram that provides an interpreter and an interface between the userand the operating system. More specifically, shell 140 executes commandsthat are entered into a command line user interface or from a file.Thus, shell 140, also called a command processor, is generally thehighest level of the operating system software hierarchy and serves as acommand interpreter. The shell provides a system prompt, interpretscommands entered by keyboard, mouse, or other user input media, andsends the interpreted command(s) to the appropriate lower levels of theoperating system (e.g., a kernel 142) for processing. Note that whileshell 140 is a text-based, line-oriented user interface, the presentinvention will equally well support other user interface modes, such asgraphical, voice, gestural, etc.

As depicted, OS 138 also includes kernel 142, which includes lowerlevels of functionality for OS 138, including providing essentialservices required by other parts of OS 138 and application programs 144,including memory management, process and task management, diskmanagement, and mouse and keyboard management.

Application programs 144 include a renderer, shown in exemplary manneras a browser 146. Browser 146 includes program modules and instructionsenabling a World Wide Web (WWW) client (i.e., computer 102) to send andreceive network messages to the Internet using HyperText TransferProtocol (HTTP) messaging, thus enabling communication with softwaredeploying server 150 and other described computer systems.

Application programs 144 in computer 102's system memory (as well assoftware deploying server 150's system memory) also include a RoadwayConstruct Condition Evaluation Logic (RCCEL) 148. RCCEL 148 includescode for implementing the processes described below, and particularly asdescribed in reference to FIGS. 2-6. In one embodiment, computer 102 isable to download RCCEL 148 from software deploying server 150, includingin an on-demand basis. Note further that, in one embodiment of thepresent invention, software deploying server 150 performs all of thefunctions associated with the present invention (including execution ofRCCEL 148), thus freeing computer 102 from having to use its owninternal computing resources to execute RCCEL 148.

The hardware elements depicted in computer 102 are not intended to beexhaustive, but rather are representative to highlight essentialcomponents required by the present invention. For instance, computer 102may include alternate memory storage devices such as magnetic cassettes,Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs), Bernoulli cartridges, and the like.These and other variations are intended to be within the spirit andscope of the present invention.

Note that while the computer 102 may be on a mobile vehicle (i.e., theterrestrial vehicle 202 shown in FIG. 2 below), computer 102 mayalternatively be in another location (fixed or mobile) that is remotefrom the mobile vehicle. That is, the computer 102 may be “on-board” themobile vehicle, may be at a permanent location (e.g., an office buildingor highway department field location), or it may be on another vehiclewhich is in remote communication with the first mobile vehicle.

With reference now to FIG. 2, an exemplary roadway 200, whose constructis evaluated in real-time in accordance with the present disclosure, ispresented. As used herein, the term “construct” is defined as thearrangement of components used in the construction of the roadway 200.That is, the condition of the construct of the roadway describes thephysical condition of components used to build the roadway, such asconcrete, rebar, asphalt topping, paint, etc., and does not include(specifically excludes) extraneous matter such as windblown dirt, ice,rain water, etc. that may have accumulated on the surface of the roadwayafter it was constructed.

As depicted in FIG. 2, a terrestrial vehicle 202 (e.g., a self-propelledtruck, car, etc., or a towed vehicle such as a trailer) is travelingalong the roadway 200. Tires 204 on the terrestrial vehicle 202 makecontact with a roadway surface 206 of the roadway 200 as the terrestrialvehicle 202 travels along the roadway 200. This contact results in adistinctive set of roadway vibration patterns, based on the currentreal-time condition of the construct of the roadway 200, which isdetected by the mobile smart sensor(s) 226 (analogous to the mobilesmart sensors 126 shown in FIG. 1). The mobile smart sensor(s) 226includes a sensor that transduces mechanical vibration of the constructof the roadway 200 into an analog vibration pattern, which can then bedigitized using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm, whichdetermines a set of underlying frequency components of the mechanicalvibration patterns. These frequency components are then digitized fortransmission, storage and/or use in rapid future comparison operations.

In one embodiment, a probe 208, used to detect environment conditions onor around the roadway 200, can be affixed to the terrestrial vehicle202. In one embodiment, probe 208 has a mechanical sensor (not shown),which detects mechanical vibrations that occur as a wheel 210, affixedto the bottom of the probe 208, rolls along the roadway surface 206.

Additional detail of an exemplary mobile smart sensor, such as themobile smart sensor(s) 226 depicted in FIG. 2 is illustrated in FIG. 3as a Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled mobile smart sensor 326.Within the GPS-enabled mobile smart sensor 326 is a sensor 304. Sensor304 is able to sense mechanical vibration (i.e., vibrations that resultfrom the physical interfacing of tires 204 and roadway surface 206 asthe terrestrial vehicle 200 in FIG. 2 travels along the roadway 200). Inone embodiment, sensor 304 is also able to detect acoustic vibration,such as sound that propagates through air from the physical interfacingof tires 204 (and/or wheel 210) and roadway surface 206 as theterrestrial vehicle 202 in FIG. 2 travels along the roadway 200.

In one embodiment, sensor 304 is directly coupled to a transmissionlogic 308, which is able to transmit the raw information detected by thesensor 304 to a receiver (e.g., RF receiver 122 shown in FIG. 1). Forexample, assume that sensor 304 detects mechanical vibrations throughthe use of an internal crystal-based strain gauge and/or accelerometer.The sensor 304 transduces these mechanical vibrations into electricalanalog signals, which are directly transmitted by the transmission logic308. In another embodiment, however, the transduced mechanicalvibrations are first sent to a local processing logic 310 within theGPS-enabled mobile smart sensor 326. This processing logic 310 is ableto quantify and digitize the transduced mechanical vibrations beforethey are sent to the transmission logic 308.

Note that in one embodiment, an identification (ID) tag 312 is also anaffixed component of the GPS-enabled mobile smart sensor 326. Theaffixed ID tag 312 provides a unique identification number for aparticular GPS-enabled mobile smart sensor 326. Furthermore, a GPSsensor 314 provides a real-time physical location of the GPS-enabledmobile smart sensor 326, such that any vibration patterns generated bythe GPS-enabled mobile smart sensor 326 can be correlated to a specificlocation on the roadway being monitored.

With reference now to FIG. 4, additional detail of the probe 208 shownin FIG. 2 is presented. Note that in one embodiment, probe 208 includesa vibration sensor 404, which performs the same function as the sensor304 shown in FIG. 3. However, the mechanical vibrations being detectedby vibration sensor 404 are from the wheel 210, not from the tires 204,shown in FIG. 2.

Probe 208 also includes a thermometer 406, a liquids sensor 408, and/ora particulates sensor 410. Thermometer 406 detects a temperature on theroadway surface. A temperature on the roadway surface may be shown to beout-of-range by thermometer 406. An out-of-range temperature is definedas a temperature that is higher than a first pre-determined temperatureor lower than a second pre-determined temperature. If the temperatureexceeds the upper range limit for the roadway surface, melting or otherevents may affect the roadway vibration patterns detected by probe 208.Similarly, if the temperature drops below the lower range limit for theroadway surface, ice cracking and other events may affect the roadwayvibration patterns detected by probe 208. Liquids sensor 408 detects anyliquids (rain, oil, etc.) that are present on the roadway surface.Liquids sensor 408 is also able to detect the current humidity levels atthe vehicle 202. Particulates sensor 410 detects any particulates (e.g.,dust, dirt, leaves, etc.) that are present on the roadway surface. Theseconditions/elements (e.g., freezing temperature, rain, dirt, etc.) arereal-time transient environmental conditions that an analysis logic suchas RCCEL 148 (shown in FIG. 1) will filter out of vibration patternsdetected by vibration sensors such as mobile smart sensors 126, sensor304, and/or vibration sensor 404 described herein. That is, if theroadway surface 206 is clean (free of rain, dirt, etc.) and thetemperature is not out-of-range, then a “true” set of roadway vibrationpatterns are generated by the mobile smart sensors to reflect the truecondition of the construct of the roadway. However, if there iswater/snow/dirt/etc. on the roadway surface, this will alter thevibration patterns generated by the contact between the vehicle's tiresand the roadway surface. Thus, data describing these real-time transientenvironmental conditions are analytically “removed” from the detectedvibration patterns, in order to create the “true” set of roadwayvibration patterns.

With reference now to FIG. 5, a high level flow chart of one or moresteps performed by a processor to evaluate a real-time condition of aroadway is presented. After initiator block 502, a set of mobile smartsensors is installed on a terrestrial vehicle (block 504). These mobilesmart sensors are capable of transducing vibration energy from theinterface between vehicular tires and a roadway surface. That is, themobile smart sensors detect and transduce mechanical vibrations thatresult from the interface between the vehicular tires and the roadwaysurface to generate a frequency (F) and amplitude (A) vibration pattern,which can be digitized (e.g., through the use of a Fast FourierTransform (FFT) algorithm) for storage and/or transmission to a remotecomputer.

As described in block 506, a processor (e.g., processor unit 104 shownin FIG. 1) receives, from the mobile smart sensors, a set of roadwayvibration patterns generated as the terrestrial vehicle travels along aroadway. As stated herein, this set of roadway vibration patterns iscreated by an interface between a roadway surface of the roadway andtires on the terrestrial vehicle. These tires may be the tires thatactually support the terrestrial vehicle (e.g., the drive train and/orsteering tires 204 shown in FIG. 2), or they may be wheel 210 that ismounted to probe 208.

As described in block 508, the processor can also receive, from themobile smart sensor, a set of impact vibration patterns that isgenerated in response to the terrestrial vehicle encountering a changein a planar state of the roadway surface. The “planar state” is definedas the level of elevation consistency of the roadway surface. Forexample, if the roadway is smooth and level, it has a different planarstate than a roadway that is rutted, has potholes, etc. Thus, the mobilesmart sensor is able to detect if the tire/wheel has slipped into a run,hit a pothole, etc.

As described in block 510, the processor receives a set of transientdata from the probe 208 on the terrestrial vehicle 202. This transientdata describes a real-time transient environmental condition at theroadway, such as a presence of liquid (e.g., water, oil, etc.) on asurface of the roadway, a presence of particulates (e.g., dirt, dust,debris, etc.) on the surface of the roadway, a freezing temperature on asurface of the roadway, etc.

As described in block 512, the processor then inputs the set of roadwayvibration patterns and the set of transient data into an analysisalgorithm (e.g., RCCEL 148 shown in FIG. 1) in order to determine areal-time physical condition of a construct of the roadway. As describedherein, the analysis algorithm removes any effect the set of transientdata has on the set of roadway vibration patterns. For example, considerthe set of roadway vibration patterns 602 shown in FIG. 6. This set ofroadway vibration patterns 602 is a temporal frequency and amplitudepattern of vibration readings taken by the mobile smart sensors. Theprobe 208 described herein has also taken measurements of transient data604 that describes real-time transient environmental conditions, such asthe parts-per-million (PPM) of particulates being kicked up by the tiresas they role across the roadway surface, PPMs of liquids being kicked upby the tires, temperature at or near the roadway surface, humidity, etc.being experienced by the terrestrial vehicle at the time the set ofroadway vibration patterns 602 are being generated. Thus, the term“transient” is defined as describing conditions that are not part of theoriginal construct of the roadway, but rather are temporary conditionsthat change as the weather changes, as garbage is blown on the roadway,as dust and dirt accumulates on the roadway, etc.

The processing logic 606 (e.g., RCCEL 148 shown in FIG. 1) takes thesereal-time transient environmental conditions (i.e., transient data 604)as additional inputs, in order to modify the set of roadway vibrationpatterns 602 to create the normalized set of roadway vibration patterns608. The normalized set of roadway vibration patterns 608 depicts thevibration pattern that would have been generated by the interfacebetween the tires and the roadway surface in the absence of anywater/snow/dirt/etc. Thus, the normalized set of roadway vibrationpatterns 608 is a “normalized” (i.e., any transient conditions that maymask the true condition of the construct of the roadway are removed)version of the set of roadway vibration patterns 602. This normalizedset of roadway vibration patterns 608 is used by a comparison logic(e.g., RCCEL 148 shown in FIG. 1) in order to locate a stored known setof roadway vibration patterns 612. The known set of roadway vibrationpatterns 612 was generated on the same stretch of roadway, on anotherstretch of roadway, or during simulation of the type of roadway that theterrestrial vehicle is traveling across, and describes a known conditionof the construct of such a roadway. That is, set of roadway vibrationpatterns 612 may be the set of vibration patterns generated by the sameor a substantially similar terrestrial vehicle as it travels along asimilar roadway that has severe rutting. Other vibration patterns (notshown) are those that would be generated as the terrestrial vehicleencounters, on the same or a substantially similar roadway, potholes,crumbing topcoat surfaces, etc. Note again that transient conditions(e.g., rain, snow, etc.) are not identified, but rather are filtered outof the set of vibration patterns generated/collected.

In one embodiment, the analysis algorithm described in block 512 looksfor a trend in vibration patterns for a same stretch or road. Forexample, consider the series of sets of roadway vibration patterns 702a-c shown in FIG. 7. Each of the sets of roadway vibration patterns 702a-c differs from one another, due to a change in the condition of theconstruct of the roadway over time. The analysis algorithm, shown astrend analysis/comparison logic 704 (e.g., part of RCCEL 148 shown inFIG. 1) is thus able to generate a roadway analysis report 706, whichdescribes this deterioration pattern/rate.

Returning to block 512 in FIG. 5, in one embodiment processor alsoinputs the set of impact vibration patterns into the analysis algorithmin order to further determine the real-time physical condition of theconstruct of the roadway. These impact vibration patterns, which detectthe change in the planar state of the roadway surface (e.g., potholes,rutting, etc.), further define the real-time physical condition of theconstruct of the roadway.

By utilizing one or more of the set of roadway vibration patterns, theset of impact vibration patterns, and the set of transient data asinputs to the analysis algorithm, the processor is thus able to generatea report that describes the real-time physical condition of theconstruct of the roadway.

As depicted in query block 514, if the real-time physical condition ofthe construct of the roadway falls outside of predetermined nominalrange (i.e., if the roadway has become too rutted, has too manypotholes, etc.), then corrective measures are initiated (block 516).Such corrective measures may include returning a physical condition ofthe roadway back within the predetermined nominal range (e.g., byfilling in potholes, resurfacing the roadway, replacing sections of theroadway, etc.). In another embodiment, these corrective measures includererouting traffic away from the roadway, either to reduce thedeterioration trend of the roadway, or until the real-time physicalcondition of the roadway returns back within the predetermined nominalrange (i.e., after construction repairs are completed). This reroutingcan be achieved by something as simple as a local rerouting sign, tosomething as complex as a series of electronic signage that reroutestraffic before it reaches the defective area. The process ends atterminator block 518, which may occur when the mobile terrestrialvehicle is no longer moving.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention havebeen presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to beexhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modificationsand variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

Note further that any methods described in the present disclosure may beimplemented through the use of a VHDL (VHSIC Hardware DescriptionLanguage) program and a VHDL chip. VHDL is an exemplary design-entrylanguage for Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), and other similar electronicdevices. Thus, any software-implemented method described herein may beemulated by a hardware-based VHDL program, which is then applied to aVHDL chip, such as a FPGA.

Having thus described embodiments of the invention of the presentapplication in detail and by reference to illustrative embodimentsthereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations arepossible without departing from the scope of the invention defined inthe appended claims.

1. A computer-implemented method of evaluating a real-time physicalcondition of a construct of a roadway, the computer-implemented methodcomprising: a processor receiving a set of roadway vibration patternsfrom a mobile smart sensor, wherein the mobile smart sensor is mountedon a terrestrial vehicle that is traveling on a roadway, and wherein theset of roadway vibration patterns is created by a physical contactbetween a roadway surface of the roadway and at least one tire on theterrestrial vehicle; the processor receiving a set of transient datafrom a probe on the terrestrial vehicle, wherein the transient datadescribes a real-time transient environmental condition at the roadway;and the processor inputting the set of roadway vibration patterns andthe set of transient data into an analysis algorithm in order todetermine a real-time physical condition of a construct of the roadway,wherein the analysis algorithm removes any effect the set of transientdata has on the set of roadway vibration patterns.
 2. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: theprocessor determining the real-time physical condition of the roadway bycomparing the set of roadway vibration patterns to a known set ofroadway vibration patterns.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim1, further comprising: the processor determining that data describingthe real-time physical condition of the roadway falls outside apredetermined nominal range; and the processor initiating correctivemeasures to return a physical condition of the roadway back within thepredetermined nominal range.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim1, further comprising: the processor determining that data describingthe real-time physical condition of the roadway falls outside apredetermined nominal range; and the processor initiating correctivemeasures to reroute traffic away from the roadway until the real-timephysical condition of the roadway returns back within the predeterminednominal range.
 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, furthercomprising: the processor analyzing a series of sets of roadwayvibration patterns in order to determine a trend in a deterioration of aphysical condition of the construct of the roadway.
 6. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: theprocessor generating a report that describes the real-time physicalcondition of the construct of the roadway.
 7. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, wherein the real-time transient environmentalcondition at the roadway is a presence of liquid on a surface of theroadway.
 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein thereal-time transient environmental condition at the roadway is anout-of-range temperature on a surface of the roadway.
 9. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: theprocessor receiving, from the mobile smart sensor, a set of impactvibration patterns that is generated in response to the terrestrialvehicle encountering a change in a planar state of the roadway surface;and the processor inputting the set of impact vibration patterns intothe analysis algorithm in order to further determine the real-timephysical condition of the construct of the roadway.
 10. A computerprogram product for evaluating a real-time physical condition of aconstruct of a roadway, the computer program product comprising: acomputer readable storage media; first program instructions to receive aset of roadway vibration patterns from a mobile smart sensor, whereinthe mobile smart sensor is mounted on a terrestrial vehicle that istraveling on a roadway, and wherein the set of roadway vibrationpatterns is created by a physical contact between a roadway surface ofthe roadway and at least one tire on the terrestrial vehicle; secondprogram instructions to receive a set of transient data from a probe onthe terrestrial vehicle, wherein the transient data describes areal-time transient environmental condition at the roadway; and thirdprogram instructions to receive an input of the set of roadway vibrationpatterns and the set of transient data into an analysis algorithm inorder to determine a real-time physical condition of a construct of theroadway, wherein the analysis algorithm removes any effect the set oftransient data has on the set of roadway vibration patterns; and whereinthe first, second, and third program instructions are stored on thecomputer readable storage media.
 11. The computer program product ofclaim 10, further comprising: fourth program instructions to determinethat data describing the real-time physical condition of the roadwayfalls outside a predetermined nominal range; and fifth programinstructions to initiate corrective measures to return a physicalcondition of the roadway back within the predetermined nominal range;and wherein the fourth and fifth program instructions are stored on thecomputer readable storage media.
 12. The computer program product ofclaim 10, further comprising: fourth program instructions to determinethat data describing the real-time physical condition of the roadwayfalls outside a predetermined nominal range; and fifth programinstructions to initiate corrective measures to reroute traffic awayfrom the roadway until the real-time physical condition of the roadwayreturns back within the predetermined nominal range; and wherein thefourth and fifth program instructions are stored on the computerreadable storage media.
 13. The computer program product of claim 10,further comprising: fourth program instructions to generate a reportthat describes the real-time physical condition of the construct of theroadway; and wherein the fourth program instructions are stored on thecomputer readable storage media.
 14. The computer program product ofclaim 10, wherein the real-time transient environmental condition at theroadway is particulates on a surface of the roadway.
 15. The computerprogram product of claim 10, wherein the real-time transientenvironmental condition at the roadway is liquid on a surface of theroadway.
 16. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein thereal-time transient environmental condition at the roadway is anout-of-range temperature on a surface of the roadway.
 17. A systemcomprising: a processor, a computer readable memory, and a computerreadable storage media; first program instructions to receive a set ofroadway vibration patterns from a mobile smart sensor, wherein themobile smart sensor is mounted on a terrestrial vehicle that istraveling on a roadway, and wherein the set of roadway vibrationpatterns is created by a physical contact between a roadway surface ofthe roadway and at least one tire on the terrestrial vehicle; secondprogram instructions to receive a set of transient data from a probe onthe terrestrial vehicle, wherein the transient data describes areal-time transient environmental condition at the roadway; and thirdprogram instructions to receive an input of the set of roadway vibrationpatterns and the set of transient data into an analysis algorithm inorder to determine a real-time physical condition of a construct of theroadway, wherein the analysis algorithm removes any effect the set oftransient data has on the set of roadway vibration patterns; and whereinthe first, second, and third program instructions are stored on thecomputer readable storage media for execution by the processor via thecomputer readable memory.
 18. The system of claim 17, furthercomprising: fourth program instructions to determine the real-timephysical condition of the roadway by comparing the set of roadwayvibration patterns to a known set of roadway vibration patterns; andwherein the fourth program instructions are stored on the computerreadable storage media for execution by the processor via the computerreadable memory.
 19. The system of claim 17, further comprising: fourthprogram instructions to determine that data describing the real-timephysical condition of the roadway falls outside a predetermined nominalrange; and fifth program instructions to initiate corrective measures toreturn a physical condition of the roadway back within the predeterminednominal range; and wherein the fourth and fifth program instructions arestored on the computer readable storage media for execution by theprocessor via the computer readable memory.
 20. The system of claim 17,further comprising: fourth program instructions to determine that datadescribing the real-time physical condition of the roadway falls outsidea predetermined nominal range; and fifth program instructions toinitiate corrective measures to reroute traffic away from the roadwayuntil the real-time physical condition of the roadway returns backwithin the predetermined nominal range; and wherein the fourth and fifthprogram instructions are stored on the computer readable storage mediafor execution by the processor via the computer readable memory.